It hasn't been a big talking point in the national elections this year, but the environment is still out there, still chugging along, and still highly susceptible to the whims of our elected officials.

It hasn’t been a big talking point in the national elections this year, but the environment is still out there, still chugging along, and still highly susceptible to the whims of our elected officials.

The 112th Congress has become the most anti-environmental congress in our country’s history, according to a report issued by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Ed Markey (D-MA). The report states that:

One out of every five votes has either rolled back protections for public lands, clean air, clean water, or enriched the oil industry.

There were 77 votes undermining Clean Air and public health protections, including new EPA regulation of mercury toxins.

Another 39 votes would weaken public lands protections, 37 votes to block climate change action, and 31 votes against Clean Water Act protection.

The House voted to enrich the oil and gas industry 109 times, a total 44 percent of its anti-environment votes. There were 38 votes to prevent clean energy deployment and 12 votes to expedite review of the Keystone XL pipeline.

“There’s not a lot that we can really be proud of in terms of what my generation has done to the planet, no matter how hard some of us have tried. But there’s a reason to be optimistic and I think it’s about youth. I honestly believe that this is a bright spot in our future – the youth of today. I would love to see all of us, and the League of Conservation Voters, focus on the youth. Talk to them. Inspire them. Bring them in. It’s their world they’re going to be stepping into. Give them the reins – I think they’re qualified to handle it – but bring them in. Get them involved. Because they might be the best new asset we can get.”

Educating yourself, then voting your conscience—and encouraging your friends and family to do the same—is the best way to ensure that our environment has capable stewards in our government, who will safeguard it for our future and our children’s future.

In a recent TIME Magazine article, author Bryan Walsh surmises that the environmental movement has lost momentum and efficacy; and perhaps the only saving grace will be those commonly referred to as "foodies."

In a recent TIME Magazine article, author Bryan Walsh surmises that the environmental movement has lost momentum and efficacy; and perhaps the only saving grace will be those commonly referred to as “foodies.”

A growing movement of organic farming enthusiasts—primarily fueled by younger generations—is flocking to farms, where they’re working or starting their own.

According to Walsh, “Even as traditional environmentalism struggles, another movement is rising in its place, aligning consumers, producers, the media and even politicians. It’s the food movement, and if it continues to grow it may be able to create just the sort of political and social transformation that environmentalists have failed to achieve in recent years.”

Unlike the environmental movement, which Walsh suggests was birthed by the Sierra Club and has moved in a bit of a clunky amorphous way, the food movement is different. “There are now thousands of community-supported agriculture programs around the country, up from just two in 1986. There are more than 6,000 farmers markets, up 16% from just a year ago. Sales of organic food and beverages hit nearly $25 billion in 2009, up from $1 billion in 1990, and no less a corporate behemoth than Walmart has muscled into the organic industry, seeking out sustainable suppliers. Green chefs like Alice Waters of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, Calif., have become national superstars, and local sourcing has become a must for hip restaurants in Brooklyn, Berkeley and in between.”

Though Walsh suggests the foodie movement is all about pleasure, food safety and access are environmental issues at their core. If we can’t eat, we cannot do much else. Our need for nourishment fuels our efforts to ensure a healthy planet and that’s perhaps why foodies may in fact be eclipsing the staunch voice of environmentalists.

]]>http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/environmen-in-trouble-foodies-to-the-rescue/feed/0Three Cheers for Collegiate Greenhttp://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/three-cheers-for-collegiate-green/
http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/three-cheers-for-collegiate-green/#commentsMon, 14 Sep 2009 08:01:48 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/?p=5441I was thrilled – but not surprised – that my alma mater, the University of Colorado at Boulder, won the #1 spot on the Sierra Club’s ranking of green colleges!

Sierra Club ranked schools by eight categories: efficiency, energy, food, academics, purchasing, transportation, waste management, and administration. The U of C was the only college to get two perfect ratings (a 10 on a scale from1-10), earning them in transportation and waste management

The College Sustainability Report Card also gave the University of Colorado high marks…an overall grade of A-. Their scorecard highlighted new buildings and major renovations that meet LEED Gold standards - there are currently four LEED-certified buildings on campus, and three new buildings are LEED Gold-certified. They also cited something close to my heart – and tummy – local food! The U of C buys food from five to eight local producers, including a ground beef supplier and a dairy, and offers students natural, organic, and local food options on campus.

Painting Animal House Green

According to a recent survey by the Princeton Review, nearly two-thirds of college applicants say they’d value having information about a college’s commitment to the environment. Of these respondents, 24% said the information would impact their decision to apply or to attend the school.

This is great news for the future of the planet – not to mention cynics who think that keg parties and Greek life are the only decision-making drivers for impressionable high schoolers as the canvas their college options.

If you’re campus bound, check out our top tips for healthy college living - or share them with your favorite student! And as always, let us know what you think about the greening of America’s colleges and universities. We love hearing from you!

]]>I was thrilled – but not surprised – that my alma mater, the University of Colorado at Boulder, won the #1 spot on the Sierra Club’s ranking of green colleges!

Sierra Club ranked schools by eight categories: efficiency, energy, food, academics, purchasing, transportation, waste management, and administration. The U of C was the only college to get two perfect ratings (a 10 on a scale from1-10), earning them in transportation and waste management

The College Sustainability Report Card also gave the University of Colorado high marks…an overall grade of A-. Their scorecard highlighted new buildings and major renovations that meet LEED Gold standards – there are currently four LEED-certified buildings on campus, and three new buildings are LEED Gold-certified. They also cited something close to my heart – and tummy – local food! The U of C buys food from five to eight local producers, including a ground beef supplier and a dairy, and offers students natural, organic, and local food options on campus.

Painting Animal House Green

According to a recent survey by the Princeton Review, nearly two-thirds of college applicants say they’d value having information about a college’s commitment to the environment. Of these respondents, 24% said the information would impact their decision to apply or to attend the school.

This is great news for the future of the planet – not to mention cynics who think that keg parties and Greek life are the only decision-making drivers for impressionable high schoolers as the canvas their college options.

If you’re campus bound, check out our top tips for healthy college living – or share them with your favorite student! And as always, let us know what you think about the greening of America’s colleges and universities. We love hearing from you!